Hamas & Jerusalem

The PA wants Hamas to run in its elections and wants those elections to include eastern Jerusalem Arab residents (by the way, why can't Jews who live in the territories vote whereas Arabs in Israel vote for the Knesset?).

It's a problem of sorts although why not a mail ballot, I don't know.

Anyway, America is pressuring and so, according to CNN, this is what Ehud Olmert told his cabinet ministers:

Acting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who assumed the post following the massive stroke of Ariel Sharon, had said the proposal should proceed because Hamas candidates had not entered East Jerusalem and were not campaigning there.

Shortly thereafter, Haaretz reported:

No. 2 on Hamas party list arrested at East Jerusalem rally

Police arrested on Sunday the number-two man on the Hamas party list for the upcoming Palestinian parliamentary elections, Sheikh Mohammed Abu Tir. Two candidates for the Hamas list in Jerusalem, Mahmoud Tutah and Ahmed Atun, were also arrested.

Also arrested were two people who organized the event. The five are suspected of illegal campaigning in East Jerusalem. The candidates were planning to hold a press conference at the entrance to the Temple Mount, but police arrested them immediately upon their exit from the Temple Mount grounds.

Isn't it silly to see an Israeli Prime Minsiter - Acting being made a fool of?